Also impressive is Higley’s careful planning which allows readers a deeply personal glimpse into Tessa’s life and heart, while entirely avoiding scenes which explicitly detail her lot in life. Though there’s no doubt that her role in Grecian society is sinful, yet socially accepted, and even expected in the upper echelons of her world, Higley manages to present an entirely chaste period of Tessa’s life.
Shadow of Colossus opens by diving directly into the crux of Tessa’s struggle, but the pace slows throughout the bulk of the novel. Her introspection, along with the web of political entanglements and maneuvering, prove a tempering influence to an otherwise tight timeline. Toward the book’s end, the pace builds exponentially into a pounding crescendo.
Strong characterization combined with rich historical detail have won Shadow of Colossus a home on my shelves of keepers. Though I rarely read a novel twice, Tessa’s story is one that I want to keep on hand for future plumbing. Higley’s work has certainly caught my eye, and I look forward to reading the stories she weaves around the remaining six Wonders of the World.
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